Bedworth soldier Sgt Simon Valentine who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009

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A Bedworth soldier's memorial garden has been “trashed” by five stray ponies.

They left a scene of destruction at the Hawkesbury Village site, dedicated to Sgt Simon Valentine, who was killed in Afghanistan four years ago.

“We just cannot believe what has happened,” said Carol Valentine, mum of the hero Fusilier.

“The animals somehow got onto the garden and have just trashed it. Some lovely Oriental poppy plants have been chewed, a Remembrance wreath and poppy crosses have been crushed, a sapling has been damaged and the whole area has been churned up with hoof marks.

Horses pictured on the play area in Ironbridge Way, Hawkesbury Village and submitted to our online blog (Image: David Bentley)

"It’s really upsetting, especially at Remembrance time.”

“We have been told that the five ponies had been abandoned nearby and were rounded up and herded onto Simon’s garden. I’m trying to find out exactly how the animals got to be there and who is responsible.”

The alarm was raised by residents last Thursday and Mrs Valentine, who lives in Bedworth, received a call from police.

“I had just been out for lunch with my son Zak, who is on leave from the army, and when we went to the garden we were quite distressed.”

The group of ponies included a foal and police are trying to trace the owners, who it is thought may be from the travellers’ community.

The memorial garden, in Ironbridge Way, was unveiled last summer as a tribute to Sgt Valentine, 29, who died after being blown up while on patrol in Helmand Province.